At the same time, Claire wants to give basketball hopefuls an opportunity to carry their game to a higher level, whether it be upper minor league or even overseas.

Being the optimistic type, Claire believes it can work. After all, he's seen other leagues succeed. At the same time he is also a realist, understanding that many independent minor league associations often fail, whether it be for financial struggles or another reason.

Still, that is not enough to make Claire throw in the towel. His AWPBA had a positive beginning a year ago and he is expecting the second season to have similar response.

Claire's team, the San Antonio Airmen, is in a league with San Antonio Kennedy, the Houston Asteroids and Austin Flame. The teams will compete in a regular season before entering the playoffs, with the top three teams advancing.

“We're trying to keep it going,” Claire said. “It is always been rough starting something up. Sponsors are sometimes reluctant to get involved. We're also in Spurs Country and they have great support. We're not trying to compete with them or any other league.

“We're trying to gather guys together and become a feeder league for the upper minor leagues,” Claire said. “We want to be careful. If anything goes wrong that is what will stick out at the end of the season. I think we have a chance to go somewhere with this.”

Claire has experience in these situations. Prior to becoming part of the AWPBA, he created the United Regions Basketball League, where he coached the San Marcos Knight squad. He also was involved in the United Basketball League and coached the Converse Flight.

He learned from the previous stops and is using that knowledge with his present venture.

Claire is making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible with no distractions.

However, because of lack of attendance and other issues, such as finding a place to play home games, Claire decided to put the season on hold to work out the kinks. Now, it appears the schedule will resume in July.

“I talked to the other team owners and needed more time to take care of details,” Claire said. “We did the schedule and refined some things. We wanted to build more interest. We want to be very accessible to the community. We want to attract kids. The admission for the kids will be free and they will have a chance to rub with pro players.”

Most of the players have some college experience. However, playing in college is not a requirement. Claire's main objective is finding players with the right stuff.

“We want ability but they have to be dedicated and work hard,” Claire said. “When we have practices we expect them to be there. We expect them to have a certain level of maturity, not only physically but mentally and emotionally, too.”

Although this is minor league basketball, players are not paid. They are playing, he said, “for the love of the game” and the hopes of being seen.

Now, he's getting an opportunity to play at the minor league level. The 5-foot-10 Edmond has played the shooting guard role most of his career, but Claire placed him at point guard. He has the smooth ball-handling to go with the shooting touch, but this is a chance for him to work on his decision making.

“I just want to keep playing,” said Edmond, who graduated from Caney Creek in 1999. “I'm hoping this league gives us a chance to get that first look. This is an opportunity you don't always get. But Coach Claire is giving us that chance.”